Köprülü Canyon National Park is one of the most exciting natural places to visit in Antalya. Built around the clear waters of the Köprüçay River, the park combines dramatic canyon scenery, pine and cypress forests, ancient bridges, mountain villages and some of the best-known rafting routes in Turkey.
The canyon extends for approximately 14 kilometres, with steep walls rising more than 100 metres in places. Visitors can enjoy rafting, riverside relaxation, nature walks, photography and cultural stops such as the Roman-period Oluk Bridge and the mountain ruins of Selge Ancient City.
Experience the Köprüçay River with professional rafting operators and guided outdoor activities.
Enjoy clear spring-fed water, forested slopes, rocky cliffs and peaceful riverside views.
Combine natural beauty with Roman engineering, historic roads and mountain archaeology.
Visit independently, join an activity tour or include the park in a private Antalya itinerary.
Essential information for planning a day among the river, forests, ancient bridges and outdoor activities of Köprülü Canyon.
Located around the Köprüçay River within the Manavgat and Serik districts of Antalya, extending toward Isparta.
The main canyon is approximately 14 km long, with dramatic rock walls rising more than 100 metres in places.
Allow half a day for sightseeing or a full day when rafting, visiting Selge or combining several park highlights.
Köprüçay River, rafting, Oluk Bridge, Selge Ancient City, Tazı Canyon, forests, trails and picnic areas.
Köprülü Canyon is not only an adventure destination, but also a protected landscape shaped by water, mountain ecosystems and thousands of years of human history.
Köprülü Canyon National Park was officially declared a national park on 12 December 1973. The protected area covers approximately 47,473 hectares across parts of Antalya and Isparta, preserving the canyon, river system, forests, archaeological remains and mountain landscapes surrounding the Köprüçay.
The Köprüçay River rises in the Taurus Mountains and flows through narrow limestone valleys before continuing toward the Mediterranean Sea near Serik. Underground springs feed the river, helping create the strikingly clear and cool water that makes the area especially attractive for rafting and riverside recreation.
The park also protects an important historical landscape. The river was known in antiquity as the Eurymedon, while routes through the mountains connected the coastal plains with the ancient Pisidian city of Selge. Roman bridges, historic roads, aqueduct remains, fortifications and rural settlements reveal how closely the river corridor was connected with trade, transport and regional life.
Today, Köprülü Canyon is valued for its rare combination of outdoor adventure, biodiversity, geological scenery and archaeological heritage. It is one of the best places in the Antalya region for travelers who want to experience more than beaches and classical ruins.
Explore the park’s most memorable natural and historical highlights, from the Köprüçay River to ancient mountain settlements.
The spring-fed Köprüçay is the heart of the national park. Its clear, cool water flows through forested canyon scenery and supports rafting, riverside recreation, photography and nature-based activities.
The narrow stone bridge spanning the canyon is one of the park’s most recognizable landmarks. Generally dated to the Roman period, it formed part of the historic route toward Selge.
Selge stands high in the Taurus Mountains near modern Altınkaya village. The ruins include a theatre, city walls, temple remains, agoras, cisterns, baths and traces of the ancient settlement.
Tazı Canyon is one of the wider national park’s most dramatic viewpoints, famous for high cliffs, deep forest scenery and panoramic perspectives over the canyon landscape.
Köprülü Canyon protects extensive Mediterranean and mountain forest ecosystems. Cypress stands, cedar and black pine forests contribute to the park’s distinctive landscape and biodiversity.
Sections of the long-distance St. Paul Trail pass through the wider park landscape, connecting villages, mountain paths and ancient sites associated with the historic interior of southern Anatolia.
Rafting is the most popular activity at Köprülü Canyon National Park. Commercial rafting trips usually follow scenic sections of the Köprüçay River and include professional guidance, safety equipment and transportation arrangements depending on the operator and package.
Many organized routes are suitable for first-time rafters, but minimum age, health and swimming requirements vary by operator.
Licensed operators generally provide a raft, paddle, helmet, life jacket and river guide. Confirm inclusions before booking.
Bring secure water shoes, quick-drying clothes, sun protection, a towel and dry clothing for after the activity.
Rafting is most popular from spring through autumn. Water level, weather and operator schedules can affect daily conditions.
Travelers who do not want to raft can still enjoy a rewarding visit. The wider park offers nature, culture and outdoor experiences for different ages and travel styles.
Enjoy the sound of the river, shaded scenery and designated restaurant or recreation areas beside the Köprüçay.
Explore short paths or longer routes through forested terrain, depending on weather, fitness and local access conditions.
Capture Oluk Bridge, turquoise water, rafters, rock walls, forest landscapes and panoramic canyon viewpoints.
Add Selge Ancient City and historic mountain roads for a richer combination of archaeology and nature.
Use designated areas and follow all national park regulations regarding waste, fires and overnight stays.
Specialist activities should only be attempted with suitable equipment, experience and professional local guidance.
Köprülü Canyon is a protected national park. The official nature tourism portal lists visitor and vehicle entrance tariffs, while rafting, transfers, food, equipment packages and other commercial activities are priced separately.
The official national park listing currently shows tariffs starting from 60 TL. Rates may be revised.
Separate tariffs apply for motorcycles, cars, minibuses, buses and other vehicle categories.
Rafting is not included in the national park entrance fee. Prices vary by route, operator, transfer and meal package.
Check the current official tariff and confirm all activity inclusions before traveling or making a reservation.
The official national park listing currently gives daily visiting hours of 07:00 – 20:00. Access to specific activities, rafting bases, restaurants, viewpoints and archaeological areas may follow different schedules.
Köprülü Canyon National Park offers one of the strongest combinations of nature, adventure and cultural heritage in the wider Antalya region. It can be enjoyed as an active rafting day, a scenic road trip or a slower exploration of river landscapes and ancient sites.
The Köprüçay provides an exciting and scenic setting for organized rafting experiences.
Few day trips combine turquoise water, forests, Roman bridges, mountain roads and an ancient city so naturally.
The Taurus Mountain environment offers a very different atmosphere from Antalya’s beaches and resort districts.
Adventure travelers can raft, while families, photographers and history lovers can enjoy sightseeing and riverside stops.
For travelers seeking a place that feels active, scenic, historical and memorable, Köprülü Canyon is one of the most rewarding day-trip choices from Antalya, Belek, Side and nearby resort areas.
The most visited part of the national park is reached through the Beşkonak area. A private vehicle, organized rafting transfer or private tour is generally the easiest way to reach the river and main activity zones.
The park is approximately 85 km northeast of Antalya city centre. Driving normally takes around 1.5 to 2 hours, depending on traffic and the exact destination.
Köprülü Canyon is roughly 60–65 km from Manavgat. Side is also a practical base for an organized rafting or nature day trip.
Travel via the Taşağıl junction and continue toward Beşkonak by local minibus where available. Services can be limited, so verify the return schedule.
Organized rafting packages often include hotel transfers. Private transport is best for combining Oluk Bridge, Selge and Tazı Canyon.
Use secure water shoes for rafting and comfortable walking shoes for viewpoints, bridges and archaeological areas.
Keep phones, passports and electronics in a proper waterproof bag or leave them in secure storage during rafting.
Currents can be strong and water is cold. Swim only where conditions are suitable and local professionals confirm it is safe.
Morning arrival provides cooler temperatures, easier parking and more time for rafting or additional sightseeing.
Bring sunscreen, a hat and drinking water, especially during the hot summer months.
Take all rubbish with you, use designated facilities and protect the river, forests and archaeological remains.
Ideal for visitors looking for rafting, canyon scenery and an active outdoor day away from the coast.
Perfect for travelers interested in rivers, forests, mountain landscapes, geology and wildlife observation.
Oluk Bridge, Selge and historic roads add meaningful archaeological depth to the natural experience.
Groups can combine rafting for active members with riverside stops, photography and sightseeing for others.
Köprülü Canyon can be combined with several natural and historical places in the eastern Antalya region. A private vehicle or custom itinerary makes it easier to connect the more remote mountain sites.
Explore the remains of a major Pisidian mountain city, including its theatre, walls, agoras, cisterns and temple areas.
Add one of the region’s most dramatic cliff viewpoints for panoramic forest and canyon photography.
Visit one of the best-preserved Roman theatres in the Mediterranean and explore the wider ruins of ancient Aspendos.
Combine the mountain landscape with Roman ruins, a historic harbour and the famous seaside Temple of Apollo.
Köprülü Canyon is famous for rafting on the Köprüçay River, turquoise water, forested canyon scenery, Oluk Bridge, Selge Ancient City and its wider Taurus Mountain landscape.
The main canyon extends for approximately 14 kilometres, with rock walls exceeding 100 metres in height in some sections.
No. Visitors can enjoy river views, Oluk Bridge, photography, picnic areas, nature walks, Selge Ancient City and nearby viewpoints without joining a rafting trip.
Many commercially operated routes welcome first-time rafters under professional supervision. Age, health and participation rules vary, so confirm requirements with the operator before booking.
The official national park listing currently gives visiting hours of 07:00 – 20:00. Individual businesses and activities may operate on different schedules.
Yes. The official listing includes separate visitor and vehicle tariffs. Rafting, transfers, meals and commercial activities are charged separately.
The main park area is approximately 85 km northeast of Antalya city centre. Travel time is usually around 1.5 to 2 hours depending on traffic and the exact stop.
Yes. They combine naturally, but the mountain road to Selge is slower and narrower than the main approach. Allow a full day when adding rafting, Selge or Tazı Canyon.
Köprülü Canyon offers a rich mix of action photography, historic architecture, turquoise water, forest textures and dramatic mountain viewpoints.
Frame the historic stone arch above the clear river and steep canyon walls.
Capture colorful rafts, splashing water and the energy of the Köprüçay.
Look for reflections, forest shade, rocky banks and calmer sections of turquoise water.
Photograph the vast depth of the canyon and the forested Taurus landscape from above.
Combine ancient stone architecture with mountain village scenery and highland light.
Scenic roads between the river, Oluk Bridge and Selge reveal striking rock formations and forest views.
Köprülü Canyon National Park can be visited throughout the year, but the best season depends on whether you are planning rafting, hiking, sightseeing or photography.
Excellent for greener landscapes, comfortable temperatures and active outdoor experiences.
The busiest rafting season. Arrive early, expect strong sun and remember that the river remains refreshingly cold.
A rewarding period for rafting, sightseeing, photography and more comfortable daytime temperatures.
Quieter and atmospheric, but rain, water levels and mountain road conditions may limit some activities.
April – June & September – October
Morning for cooler weather, easier parking and better activity planning
Spring through autumn, subject to river and weather conditions
Allow a full day when combining rafting with Selge or Tazı Canyon
Köprülü Canyon can be arranged as an outdoor activity day or included in a private Antalya itinerary. Tell us your hotel location, travel date, group size and whether you prefer rafting, sightseeing or a combination.
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